Whatever we eat, wear, or use came by truck, but lack of parking is a growing problem: Councillor Linda Annis
Surrey, B.C. (May 2, 2024): Surrey First Councillor Linda Annis wants the provincial government to work with Surrey and nearby municipalities to find an immediate regional solution to the growing lack of truck parking. Annis says she will bring forward a notice of motion at the next city council meeting calling for Surrey to urge the provincial government to work with the city and other municipalities in the region to find a “once-and-for-all” solution to the problem, which has grown more urgent over the past 20 years.
“It’s ironic that the trucks that we count on and take for granted, the trucks that pick up and deliver absolutely everything we need and use, are all but ignored when it comes to finding the local parking they need at the end of their day,” said Annis. “As consumers we make incredible demands on our trucking industry, but here in Surrey we are short about 2,000 parking spots, and about 5,000 short over the region.”
Annis said while the City of Surrey has stepped up to provide about 150 parking spots on city land, and the province has opened a new truck parking facility for about 100 trucks just east of the Port Mann Bridge in north Surrey, “The fact is, we are barely scratching the surface, and the need continues to grow as our region grows, increasing the need for shipping and more trucks. In 18 years, we will have one million residents in Surrey, so the truck parking issue is only going to grow. But for almost 20 years the province, region, and local municipalities have really downplayed it, rather than working seriously to solve the problem.”
Annis said while she understands the growing frustration of truckers, and a call by the local trucking industry to allow a handful of trucks to park at individual farms, the issue really needs a viable, long-term solution.
“Surrey is definitely home to much of our province’s trucking industry and its drivers,” noted Annis. “Which is a good reason for our city hall to speak up and enlist the help of the provincial government, which has land that can help solve the truck parking issue. At the same time, every community needs to help tackle this issue, rather than leaving it to one or two communities. Cities that expect truckers to keep local grocery store and retail shelves full can’t ignore the parking issue, as if it is someone else’s problem. We’re in this together and provincial leadership and solutions are key.”
Annis said the Canadian Trucking Association of BC is staging a truck parking rally near the Aria Banquet Hall, adjacent to the Pattullo Bridge, at 1:00 p.m. on Wednesday, May 15.